Hello everyone,
It's been a pretty intense week. Let's go through this in order so I don't get confused. Monday: P-Day was short because, as a mission, we met our goals to teach 400 member lessons, 1200 other lessons, find 270 new investigators, and speak 7000 hours of SOL in 3 weeks. Amazing how much football can rally a group of people, isn't it? :P No, our motives were still pure, but the objective of getting together as a mission and having a common goal really made it possible (BTW - huge lesson to be learned from that concept of having a common goal and achieving it; That's kind of why the Gospel is important, since it contains the goals that last longer than just a lifetime). So, we hit the streets on Monday and started talking and working. Elder Bown rose to the challenge of starting contacts, making phone calls, heading out planning, and otherwise taking a stab at being a senior companion for a few days. The shocking thing was, it was a relief for a few hours, and then it became a bit of a burden. It's incredible what happens when you destabilize the balance in a companionship. All of a sudden, you start getting really tired and your overall effectiveness drops significantly. But, Elder Bown needed the experiences, so we pressed on. Tuesday rolled in, similar experience. The neat part was we had a member lesson with Tomaš talking about obedience and the sabbath. President Branda, the branch president here, bore powerful testimony of his conversion and the events leading to it, and Tomaš and President Branda connected really well. From there, we hit wenesday - a really really really long day. Contacting didn't work out very well, we were both really tired, and just plain burned out. I think we all know how that goes when energy just gets expended and our drive forward needs a recharge. We spent the night on the floor in the other area since it's closer to the train station. After waking up at 5, we realized that we didn't have our P-Day shoes for our trip to prague. Even though our bags were packed, we ran all the way home and then had to catch a 10 minute tram ride to the bus station to make it on time. We arrived in Prague, and it was a blast. Football, thanksgiving dinner. We sang some songs, and then got ready to hit the streets of Prague for the evening. Singing with all the missionaries on the streets and contacting Pražaks really helped fire us back up again. We regrouped and split up, going to different parts of Prague for street contacting, and I just have to say: I really hope I get to serve in Prague over christmas at some point - Everything was lit up, there were fires and street stands with czech foods cooking, people singing, music playing: a complete 180 from what I was seeing in Liberec. We had several very successful contacts, exchanged numbers with a few people and set up some meetings for the Prague missionaries, and you'll never guess what we decided to do for dinner.
There's a burger king in Prague. I love Czech food, but seeing a real american hamburger just about brought us all to tears. It was a pretty inspiring sight, with the shredded iceburg lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and a thin slice of beef with american (not czech, there is a difference) ketchup. Needless to say, it was a thanksgiving to be remembered.
So, we spent the night with the office elders on the couch, got up and got ready for the day, and went to Zone Conference. I wouldn't say this was my favorite zone conference, since the July conference was very powerful and inspirational. But, the testimonies and the messages about christmas, about the work, and the progress we're making was incredible. Some of the departing missionary testimonies were so powerful there wasn't a dry eye on the room. They passed out new recipe books for all the missionaries, too, so I'm not worried about having a shortage of food ideas anymore. :D
We headed home and, that night, we had a lot of preparation for a trip we were going on the next day. We spent the evening working with members, giving a blessing, and trying out the new christmas message we'll be sharing. Rather, the old message, because it's about christ, but the materials we'll be using are new. Unfortunately, I left my keys in the other elder's apartment, and the other elder's left their keys with the member. Which was a 30 minute bus ride away. So, the night ended up being spent travelling by bus and sleeping again at the other elder's apartment (We did get to bed on time though, if we hadn't been there then we'd have been up really late). Saturday, we planned and contacted a bit, sunday Tomaš came to church and we talked more about baptism. We're not sure if he'll be making the 12th of December, but he's definitely going to make it in the next month or so. We're really happy about all the progress he's making, he's a really neat man to teach. I was reading in Alma the other day about King Lamoni, and it hit me that we were basically teaching a king Lamoni. Elder Bown and I haven't decided who gets to be Ammon though.
Apart from being absolutely exhausted, we're doing well and we're all ready for the christmas season. If all goes well, we'll be shooting off a few christmas cards to you all with love from us here in Liberec.
And now for something completely different, a few thoughts on Christmas. If you've read the first few chapters of Luke, you're familliar with the story of Christ's birth. I'd encourage you to read it and then consider the message that underlies the coming of the Savior to the earth and the mission he fulfilled, the message found in John 3:16-17.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
This happens to be my favorite scripture, because it encompasses everything which is important in the Gospel. Principles of justice, mercy, the law, our relationship to God our Father and His Son Jesus Christ, and the means by which man may find the joy which "surpasseth all understanding." I've seen that joy transform the lives of people who claim to come from the most atheist nation on earth, and the changes are incredible. There is greater light, hope, happiness, love, and meaning in the lives of those who seek for and apply the truths of the Gospel. All things good in life, all lasting joy comes from this source. So, as we prepare for meetings with friends and family, dinners, parties, gift exchanges, and christmas break, I'd encourage you all to seek ways to give something to Him to whom the holiday was created. Serve someone, find a way to give yourself more into His care, bless the life of someone in need. Try to live part of the life He lived. It will change your life as you approach Him.
Thanks everyone for your love, support, letters, and encouragement. The work of the Lord is this work. He is the head of this Church, and I know that He lives. I hope you all have a fantastic few weeks leading up to Christmas, and that you take advantage of opportunites to serve in the meantime. I love and miss you all, and look forward to writing you about this up and coming week.
Thanks,
Elder Brent Anderson
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